Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2016
48. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce legislation to enforce a safety regime in fishing vessels whereby only Bord Iascaigh Mhara safety cards will be deemed acceptable from any fishing crew following a response issued to a representative from the International Transport Federation by a representative from the Marine Survey Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32203/16]
View answerThere is already a safety regime in place with regard to basic safety training for all fishers, namely the Fishing Vessels (Basic Safety Training) Regulations of 2001 (S.I. No. 587 of 2001), under which such training is mandatory. Fishers who undergo this training can apply for a Commercial Fishing Training Record Book from BIM.
BIM supply this training at their regional centres, and it is also open to other training providers to provide the training subject, of course, to meeting the required standards. The Regulations also permit the recognition of basic safety training undertaken in other States, provided the Marine Survey Office of my Department is satisfied that the training is equivalent to training required in Ireland for fishing vessel officer certificates of competency, under the Fishing Vessels (Certification of Deck Officers and Engineer Officers) Regulations of 1988 (S.I. 289 of 1988). Those with such training are also able to apply for a Commercial Fishing Training Record Book from BIM, following verification by an authorised BIM official.
The mutual recognition of qualifications is in line with our obligations under the relevant IMO International Conventions as well as the relevant European Union provisions.
The objective of the safety regime is that fishers will have the required safety training and that the safety training will meet the required standards. There is no reason to restrict the provision of such safety training to any particular course provider and indeed to do so could impact on the availability of training. Fishers from other EU Member States who hold the appropriate basic safety training certification from an EU State are also entitled to work on Irish flagged fishing vessels.
